I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions because I don't think they work. Instead, I would rather set goals for things I want to accomplish. I think it's much less pressure that way and it seems doable.

Whenever I set resolutions in the past, they were always about weight loss and they never worked. I would be like others... workout for a few weeks and stop going for a while after that. I would change my diet briefly and go right back to the junk food within days.

When I started my “diet” almost seven years ago, it wasn’t about the weight but about my health. That was the difference between this weight loss attempt and all the other diets I did previously. I never made a serious attempt that stuck until the lifestyle change I made.

When I think of how bad I ate over 7 years ago, I think in amazement how far I came since them. I would think nothing of chowing down on several Egg McMuffins or several burgers at McDonald’s. Today... I have no cravings for such foods.

This year will be my third Thanksgiving without any animal products. No longer do I think of the holiday as "Turkey Day". As you will read, there are so many delicious foods out there, turkey is not needed. You too can have a "No Turkey Day"!

First of all, let me tell you why I don't like calling Thanksgiving "Turkey Day". Aside from being vegan, turkey day doesn't really convey the true meaning of Thanksgiving. I mean, isn't Thanksgiving about family and friends and being thankful for the food... not just turkey? But as a vegan, I really dislike calling it "Turkey Day". When the president pardons a turkey in a silly tradition, I think of the other 50,000,000 birds that weren't so lucky. It's really sick if you think about it. Millions of enslaved birds and the president only spares two of tem. And then they will no doubt eat a turkey for Thanksgiving, so what's the point?

I am always thinking about goals. Yes, the abdominoplasty was a big goal but I have so many things I want to work on in the new year. I'm just glad I don't have to concentrate on my loose skin wondering if it will ever tighten!

As I mentioned on Dr. Mondo's show last week, I would like to do a half or full marathon. I do love running but it seems like it's always an after thought as I have other goals in the way. But I think the half marathon is achievable as I'll have time to train for that.